While opening today’s federal seminar for Mercer County first responders, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) urged law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and other officials to remain vigilant and prepared for the dangers that come with tracking and shutting down methamphetamine production labs.

    “The impact of these labs on public health can be devastating—even to those who do not come in direct contact with the substance. The federal government has a critical role to play to help ensure that first responders have access to information they need and are truly prepared and trained for the unique risks affiliated with the production of this increasingly popular drug,” Smith said.

    The seminar—entitled the “Methamphetamine Safety and Awareness for First Responders”—was hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division and was designed to aid police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMT) in Mercer County in recognizing specialized problems and hazards associated with the production of meth.

    A similar seminar will be held for Ocean County and Atlantic County first responders next week in Toms River.

    These seminars, which are taking place throughout the state, are the first to include firefighters, paramedics and EMTs. Seminars conducted by the DEA outside of New Jersey have always been directed at law enforcement officials only.

    “Understanding the unique role that first responders play in this fight, the DEA has brought firefighters, paramedics and EMTs into the fold,” Smith said. “Given the wide range of environmental, public safety, and public health concerns surrounding methamphetamine production, safely eliminating meth labs in New Jersey needs to be a team effort and this seminar and others like it in New Jersey will ensure greater cooperation among federal, state and local officials.”

    Smith added “the DEA can be a powerful partner in the efforts to mitigate the dangers clandestine meth labs pose.”

    During the opening remarks, Smith—a member of the Congressional Meth Caucus—updated the participants on legislative efforts to combat the spread of methamphetamine.

    Smith said that last Congress, the House passed 11 bills that authorized funding for meth clean-up activities and passed into law a key measure that established regulations to control the availability of chemicals and precursor drugs used in the production of methamphetamine.

    In this session of Congress, 110th Congress, the House passed the “Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act,” which requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create guidelines for the cleanup of methamphetamine labs and establishes a research program to develop new meth detection technologies. The House also passed the “Department of Justice Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008” which includes millions in funding for federal efforts to combat meth production, distribution and use as well as funding for programs to assist law enforcement with the removal and disposal of hazardous materials from meth labs.

    “Our shared interests and duties at every level of government make stopping drug use and production a collective responsibility. I believe the first responders in this room today—and their counterparts across the nation—are the unsung heroes leading the fight to keep drugs from gaining a greater foothold in our neighborhoods. Their commitment to this fight and dedication to the community and its children are much appreciated,” Smith said.

    Smith today also encouraged first responders from Ocean and Atlantic Counties to attend the DEA’s seminar on November 28th at the Fine Arts Center Theater in Toms River.